Closing arguments set in trial in black motorist's death

By BRUCE SMITH Associated Press Published: November 30, 2016 9:00 AM

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) -- After hearing from 55 witnesses during a monthlong trial, a South Carolina jury is set to hear closing arguments in the Michael Slager murder trial.

Slager is the white former North Charleston patrolman charged in the shooting death of 50-year-old Walter Scott as the black motorist ran from a traffic stop in April of last year. The shooting was captured on cellphone video.

The 35-year-old Slager could be sentenced to 30 years to life if convicted by the jury of 11 whites and one black. Closing arguments are set for Wednesday.

Circuit Judge Clifton Newman is expected to decide whether the jury will be allowed to visit the scene of the shooting before closing arguments. He says that if they do, one representative from the defense and one from the prosecution will accompany them but the visit will be closed to the media.

The defense rested its case Tuesday, during which Slager testified he felt "total fear" when Scott got control of his Taser and pointed it at him.

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"I knew I was in trouble," Slager said, adding that Scott grabbed the Taser and "was extending his right arm, leaning forward and coming at me."

Slager testified that he had pulled Scott over for a broken taillight and was planning to give him just a warning ticket. But then Scott bolted from the 1990 Mercedes he was buying from a friend.

"In my mind at that time was: People don't run for a broken taillight. There's always another reason," he testified. "I don't know why he ran. It doesn't make any sense to me."

The prosecution has said Scott may have run because he was afraid of having to go to jail for being behind on child support.

Slager described yelling "stop" and "Taser! Taser! Taser!" as he caught up to Scott and said he fired his stun gun three times. He said Scott fell to the ground and still resisted attempts to subdue him.